20 Public Parks. 



instrumentality of Hillhouse, at the close of the eighteenth century, 

 have justly obtained for that city the soubriquet of the " City of 

 Elms." There are at New Haven several public squares. The 

 Wooster, containing five acres, is laid out with taste ; the Green, 

 containing sixteen acres, shaded by its graceful and elegant elms : 

 and the Brewster park, containing fifty-five acres. 



At Providence thei^e is a park planted with elms, nearly a mile 

 in circumference, around a cove of the Providence river. The pub- 

 lic park at Hartford has not been what might be termed a success, 

 owing to its being laid out on a difficult piece of ground, with an 

 ill-digested plan. 



PHILADELPHIA. ..'* 



The public squares of Philadelphia have long been the pride of 

 that cit}'. Independence Square, in the rear of Independence Hall, 

 is one of the oldest and finest. Washington square, in olden times, 

 was the Potter's Field, where, during the Revolutionary war, over 

 two thousand soldiers of the American Army, who had died from 

 wounds and camp-fever, were buried. It was last used as a place of 

 interment during the prevalence of yellow fever in i793? ^J^d was 

 finally closed in 1795, and laid out as a public square in 1815. In 

 this square is laid the foundation of a monument to Washington. 

 Franklin square is kept in good order, and is mainly distinguished 

 for the deer, squirrels and peacocks that are kept in it. Penn, Ritten- 

 house, Logan, Fairhill and Non^is squares are of more recent origin, 

 all being vv^ell cared for and kept in a tasteful manner. The grounds 

 in the vicinity of the Fairmount Water Works, on the Schuylkill 

 river, are tastefully laid out, and for years have been a favorite resort. 

 Several years ago, Lemon Hill, about a half mile from the water- 

 works, was purchased and laid out as a public park. It was at one 

 time the handsomest villa in America, containing 120 acres, to which 

 additions have been made of 80 acres. The alterations were designed 

 by Messrs. Sidney and Adams. These, with the magnificent 

 trees and fine natural position, make it already a delightful place. 

 Additions to the grounds have since been made on the opposite side 

 of the river, which are being improved, and will soon be connected 

 by a bridge over the Schuylkill. 



An act was passed at the last session of the Legislature of Penn- 

 sylvania, increasing the boundaries of Fairmount park, on both sides 

 of the Schuylkill, and including a portion of the ground lying on the 

 banks of the romantic Wissahickon, making a total area of 2,700 



